The A4 posters and leaflets, in different languages, warn patients that footage is being collected in the hospital's Clinic 23 where couples are given bad news of their unborn babies.

The footage is automatically deleted if the couples do not consent to being viewed by TV production staff.

Approaches to obtain consent in the event of a couple experiencing a stillbirth are made first by senior midwives or consultants - at which time the couple are asked if they would be willing to speak to a member of the production team.

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A doula, who supports Cambridgeshire mothers throughout pregnancy, said: "It was a few weeks ago and a client told me that she had seen a post up in the Rosie and was quite worried she had been filmed.

"I emailed the head of maternity and didn't get a response.

"Most doulas have expressed extreme concerns to me and a number of their clients are quite worried and I do have midwife friends who agree with my staff on this."

Parents have called for an apology from the hospital saying "there is an expectation of absolute privacy" in the room.

Human rights charity Birthrights has written to Addenbrooke's Hospital raising concerns over the documentary.

Chief executive Rebecca Schiller said there were "moral and legal questions to be asked" of the hospital.

She added the charity was seeking more information to see "if they are infringing women's rights when they are giving away very, very private information".

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A spokesman for Cambridge University Hospitals confirmed it was taking part in a documentary with True Vision Productions and Channel 4 focusing on stillbirth and complex pregnancies.

He added: "We took the decision to participate in the documentary as a direct result of feedback from women who had been through stillbirth and said there was not enough information on this difficult but important issue – that it is seen as a taboo subject.

"Because of the sensitivity of the subject, we established a robust consent process with True Vision to safeguard women who visit Clinic 23. No footage taken by the cameras is ever viewed by anyone without express consent of the patient, and it is automatically deleted after three days.

“Stillbirth affects a very small number of women - less than one in 200 - and only those women affected would be approached about possible use of footage. Notices about the filming are displayed in all clinical and public areas and staff are fully briefed about the documentary to answer any questions women may have."

"The cameras are always rolling, but the footage can only be viewed with the patient’s express consent. Without it the footage is automatically deleted and destroyed a few days after. There are signs in the clinic explaining that we are filming and if a patient is uncomfortable with this they can opt to be taken to a room without a camera. "

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A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "Patients are made aware that that filming is taking place in parts of the clinic but that no footage of them will be viewed or downloaded in any way without their express permission.

"There is no covert filming - anyone approached to take part in the programme will have the implications of taking part in filming clearly explained and all contributors have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. Footage is wiped automatically after a few days without any human intervention.

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"This is a sensitively-made, observational documentary about complex pregnancies and stillbirths, told from the point of view of parents as well as interviews with leading consultants in the field.

"The aim of the programme, fully supported by senior medical staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, is to demystify stillbirth and remove the taboo surrounding the difficult subject matter."